Hail, Hail, the Hail’s All Here!

Most of us are thrilled when we start seeing the buds on the branches and crocuses creeping up through the soil. But when April comes, the first thing most insurance professionals think of is Hail.  Severe storms occur when a cold front meets a warm front, which happens most often in Spring and Fall.  If the conditions are right, hail can form and hammer an area causing damage to plants, property, and cars.  
Fortunately you can take steps to reduce hail damage.

Before Hail Occurs

• If you are replacing your roof with new asphalt shingles, make sure they have a Class 4 rating under Underwriters Laboratories’ (AL) 2218 standard.

During a Hailstorm

If a hailstorm is expected in your area, you should:

• Park vehicles in a garage or under a carport.
• Move inside immediately and stay there.
• Keep away from skylights, doors and windows in case hail shatters the glass.
• Close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent wind from blowing broken glass inside.
• If you’re in a car, safely pull off the road, preferably under a bridge or highway overpass. If possible, turn away from or shield yourself from windows and glass as you wait for the storm to pass.

After a Hailstorm

After the hailstorm, you should:

• Be careful of broken glass that may have shattered during a hailstorm.
• If your property is damaged, report it to your insurance agent immediately, and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
• Beware of contractor fraud. Most contractors are reputable business people, but the dishonest ones may try to convince you that you have hail or other damage and need a new roof, even if your roof did not experience any damage at all. If you’re not sure what to do, call your insurance agent. 

Click here to learn more about Hail damage.